Amber Sharp profile

Amber Sharp

Amber SharpExecutive Director, THE HAVENIt is depressing to face the stark reality that human trafficking still persists as a widespread and entrenched problem in a time of unprecedented connectedness and advancement. Statistics show that 99.9% of people caught in this web of abuse are women, highlighting the critical need for groups like The Haven. The Haven develops as a beacon of hope and healing in the center of Houston, a city identified by the Department of Justice as a focus for human trafficking. One person stands out under these difficult conditions, pouring unrelenting dedication and resolve towards this important purpose. Meet Amber Sharp, the Executive Director of The Haven, whose unwavering dedication and steady leadership are revolutionizing the field of anti-trafficking initiatives. Sharp is not only addressing a problem with her imaginative approach and relentless campaigning; rather, she is assisting survivors and their communities in experiencing meaningful, revolutionary change.

Knowing Amber Sharp

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Amber entered the world to a courageous teenage mother who believed that entrusting her child to a more prepared family was the best course of action. This choice led Amber into the open arms of a welcoming family, who also embraced her biological brother and sister. With her father’s service in the Air Force, the family journeyed to Missouri, where Amber grew up amidst a bustling household of eight other children.

Amber held the distinction of being the initial child her parents chose to adopt, affording her the unique position of experiencing both the roles of eldest and youngest. Ultimately, she found herself comfortably settled in the middle, an aspect of her upbringing she believes contributed to her well-rounded perspective on life. Rooted in a disciplined Christian lifestyle that held faith and family in high regard, Amber’s parents served as shining examples of sacrificial love. They instilled in her enduring values of diligence and the responsibility to care for those around her, principles that continue to propel her forward today.

Speaking about her academic journey, Mrs. Sharp recounted, “In 2001, I proudly graduated high school as the valedictorian of my class, with a full college scholarship within reach. However, I made the deliberate choice to forgo it, opting instead to immerse myself in a variety of life experiences.”

She went on to explain, “I enrolled in a leadership discipleship program, dedicating the ensuing years to extensive travel, active involvement in church ministries, mentoring others, and contributing to character education programs during school assemblies. It was during this transformative phase that I came face to face with the stark reality of the trafficking issue, a profound awakening that occurred when I attended an event featuring the founder of A21, an organization committed to combating human trafficking.”

A decade after her high school graduation, Mrs. Sharp decided to embark on her collegiate journey. “I initially pursued my education at a community college before advancing to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, on full scholarship, to earn my bachelor’s degree,” she explained. “Eventually, I achieved a Masters Degree in Public Administration with a specialized focus on NonProfit Management. Throughout this academic pursuit, I consistently maintained a spot on the Dean’s list and graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA, earning Summa Cum Laude honors for both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees.”

Amber Sharp attributes her personal and professional development to her parents, Ronnie and Jackie Perkins, along with other influential figures in her life, particularly her spiritual mentors, Don and Susan Nordin. Through their fostering endeavors, Amber and her husband, Jake, transitioned from a childless state to adopting a trio of siblings. Later, they expanded their family to six by privately adopting their youngest. Leveraging her firsthand encounters, Mrs. Sharp provides training and assistance to fellow foster and adoptive parents. This journey of tending to this vulnerable demographic enlightened her to the profound effects of trauma and neglect, intensifying her commitment to advocacy efforts.

As the Executive Director

Over the past three years, in her role as the Executive Director of The Haven, Amber Sharp has committed herself wholeheartedly to the support of 24 girls aged 11-17, who have confronted the formidable trials of trafficking, exploitation, and abuse. Looking back on the inaugural year in 2020, even amidst the challenges of the pandemic, Mrs. Sharp, alongside her dedicated team, diligently worked towards a pivotal goal for The Haven: to establish a program of exceptional quality, one that could stand as a beacon of care for survivors of trafficking.

Mrs. Sharp expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity, in the following years, to offer guidance to nascent programs, influencing them to incorporate crucial elements of The Haven’s model into their own endeavors. She underscored the fortune The Haven has experienced even in its initial stages. Moreover, when asked directly about what distinguishes The Haven from other organizations, Mrs. Sharp emphasized their holistic and personalized approach to every girl in their care. She took pride in the intentional customization of the program to address the distinct needs of each individual.